Folding go-cart.



P. J. BEIER.

FOLDING GO-GART.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1909. RENEWED MAR. 9, 1914. 1 ,O94,4=l '7.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

5 SHEETSSHEET 1.

v \llilgg V% MNHHHU F. J. BEIER.

FOLDING GO-GART.

APPLICATION IILED MAR. 1, 1909. RENEWED MAR. 9, 1914.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914;

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co, WASHINGTON. D, c.

F. J. BEIER.

FOLDING GO-CART.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1909. RENEWED MAE. 9, 1914.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

coumnm PLANDGRAPH 50.,wAsl-uNG'roN D. c.

F. J. BEIER.

FOLDING GO-GART.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 1, 1909. RENEWED MAR. 9, 1914.

1,094,417. Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH COqWAS-HINGTO D.

F. J. BEIER.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO T.

@ mum COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH couwasuma'row. 1:.c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J". BEIER, OF ELKHART, INDIANA, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 WILLIAM S. FERRIS, OF ELKHART, INDIANA, AND ALEXANDER B. LEITI-I, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, TRUSTEES.

FOLDING GO-CART.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914..

Application filed March 1, 1909, Serial No. 480,728. Renew-ed March 9, 1914. SeriaI No. 823,634.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK J BEIER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elkhart, in the county of Elkhart and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Go-Carts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in folding go-carts, and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved device of'this character which may be readily and compactly collapsed for storage or shipping purposes.

A further object is to provide an improved device of this character including laterally foldable sides, and improved means for securing the sides in position for use.

A further object is to provide an improved foldable foot or end board, and improved means for securing the foot board in position for use.

A further object is to provide an improved adjustable foot rest within the frame formed by the sides and footboard, and improved means for securing the foot rest in position for use.

A further object is to provide an improved adjustable back for the seat, and improved means for securing the back in position for use.

A further object is to provide improved means for yieldingly supporting the seat and back independently of the sides and foot-board.

A further object is to provide an improved cart of this character including wheel supports foldable with respect to the supporting frame, and a handle also foldable with respect to the frame, and improved means whereby the adjustment of the handle will automatically lock or unlock the wheel supports.

A further object is to provide improved means for securing the handle in position for use.

A further object is to provide an improved device of this character which will be simple, durable and cheap in construction, and effective and efficient in operation.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects, as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment of the invention, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of an improved cart constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and unfolded for use. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1, with parts broken away. Fig. 3 is a detail rear end view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional View of the lock for locking the sides in position for use. Fig. 5 is a detail View on Fig. 4 from the left hand side and with parts removed. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 3, showing the back of the seat in full lines in position for use, and in dotted lines in a partially folded position. Fig. 7 is a detail front elevation of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail elevation partly broken away, of the lock for locking the side and the handle in position for use. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on line 99 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view on line 10-10 of Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the cart in its folded position. Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the cart in its folded position.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, and in the present exemplification of the invention, the running gear frame comprises spaced side bars 20, which are connected, as at 21, at their forward ends. The rear ends of the side bars are connected by means of a suitable cross-bar 22, which latter also serves as a means for pivotally connecting the handle 23 to the running gear frame.

Rotatably mounted upon the side bars 20 are wheel supports 24, and the supports on each side of the frame may be connected for movement in unison by means of a suitable connecting bar 25. The wheel supports may be held against longitudinal movement on the side bars in any desired or suitable manner, preferably by means of clips 26 which are secured to the side bars, and preferably engage the front wheel supports.

Supported by the running gear frame and extending longitudinally thereof are elastic members 27, one of which is arranged adjacent each of the side bars 20 with their forward ends secured as at 28, preferably to the connecting bar 21 at the front of the running gear frame. The rear extremities of these members 27 are preferably arched,

as at 29, and are secured to the cross-bar 22, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2.

The forward extremities (see Fig. 1) of the elastic members 27, project upwardly for any desired distance above the running gear frame and secured to the members 27 adjacent their rear ends are uprights 31 in the form of brackets. The uprights 31 are arranged in line .with the respective extremities 30 and pivotally supported between the respective uprights 31 and the extremities 30 are side boards or members 32, which may be constructed of any desired or suitable material and of any desired configuration. These side boards are adapted to turn upon the pivots 33, 34, which may be formed by suitable fastening devices, such as bolts or the like, which pass through projections 35, 36 on the adjacent ends of the side boards. These side boards are preferably of a height less than the width of the running gear frame and are adapted to be folded toward each other, and down upon the running gear frame, so that one of the side boards will rest upon the other, as shown more clearly in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Suitable supports 37 are provided with deflected extremities 38, which latter are secured to the respective elastic members 27 at any suitable point between the extremities thereof. The free extremities 39 of the supports 37 are provided with suitable apertures adapted to receive suitable uprights 40, which latter may be secured to a suitable support, such as the cross bar 22, as at 41, shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The extremities 39 of the supports 37 are spaced for any desired distance above the cross bar 22, and an elastic member 42, such as a coil spring or the like, surrounds each of the uprights 40 between the extremities 39 of the supports and the cross bar 22, and a suitable nut 43 is provided which engages the extremities of the uprights 4O beyond the extremities 39 of the supports 37 for securing the latter against displacement, whereby the supports will be yieldingly held in position. These supports 37 are preferably spaced from the elastic members 27, and secured thereto is a seat 44, which may be of any desired size. The seat 44 is provided with a back 45, which is hinged, as at 46, by one extremity to one end of the seat 44, and is adapted to be folded down upon the seat 44, and lengthwise of the running gear frame, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 6. The back 45 is also adapted to be unfolded into a position for use, as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 6, and when unfolded, may be held in position, preferably by means of a catch 47, which is preferably constructed in the form of a bail having spaced arms and a connecting portion 48 at one extremity of the arms. The free extremities of the arms are pivotally connected, as at 49, to the back 45, and a suitable elastic member 50, such as a spring, or the like, is provided, which surrounds the pivot pin 49, one extremity of the spring being secured to the back 45, as at 51, and the other extremity of the spring is adapted to engage the arms of the catch and normally tends to hold the catch in engage ment with the cross bar 52, which extends across the space between the extremities 39 of the support 37 with its extremities secured preferably to the support. The arms of the catch 47 are provided with shoulders 53, which are adapted to engage and rest upon the cross bar 52, and these shoulders 53 may be spaced from each other, and any suitable number of shoulders may be provided whereby the angle or inclination of the back 45 may be varied with respect to the seat 44.

Secured to the seat 44, preferably the lower face thereof, is a member 54 which projects beyond the rear edge of the seat, and the extremity 55 thereof is arched or curved away and around a cross bar 52 and over which extremity a catch 47 passes. This extremity 55 is preferably yielding and is of a size to serve as a means to prevent the lowermost or lower end shoulders 53 of the catch 47, when the seat back is adjusted in its uppermost position, from jumping off or accidentally disengaging the cross bar 52. This is obvious since the connecting piece 48 of the arms 47 will engage the extremity 55 of the member 4 when the catch starts to jump off the bar The curved extremity of the member 54 also serves as a guide for directing the catch 47 into position so that the shoulders 53 thereof will engage the cross bar to automatically lock the back 45 in position, as the back is moved from its folded position to a position for use, as shown more clearly in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

Pivotally supported by the running gear frame and depending below the frame adjacent the rear wheel supports 24 is a look ing member designated generally by the ref erence numeral 56, and which is preferably in the form of a bail having side arms 57, which latter are pivoted as at 58 to the side bars 20 of the frame, and these side arms are adapted to engage suitable catches 59, which latter are preferably secured to the connecting bars 25 between the wheel supports on the respective side bars of the frame to lock the wheel supports in position for use, and also against a folding movement. If desired, a suitable brace 60 may be provided for bracing the arms of the locking bail against lateral strain. This locking member is adapted to be moved about its point of pivotal support during the folding and unfolding movement of the handle 23 to automatically lock or unlock the wheel supports, and for this purpose the arms 57 of the locking bail may be extended, as at 61, above the running gear frame, and these ex tensions 61 may be pivotally connected to the handle 23 by means of suitable links 62, so that when the handle 23 is rocked about its point of pivotal support in one direction or the other, the links 62 will correspondingly move the locking bail about its point of pivotal support into or out of engagement with the catches 59. If desired, a looking bail or member 63 may be provided for the front wheel supports, and this locking bail or member 63 is pivotally mounted upon the side bars of the running gear frame and depends below the frame.

Each of the side boards 32 may be secured in position for use by means of suitable locking devices, each of which comprises an arm 64 which is pivotally supported as at 65 by one extremity to a suitable clip 66, which latter is secured by means of a suitable fastening device 67 t0 the side arms of the handle 23. Rotatably supported by the free extremity of each of the arms 64 is a laterally projecting stud 68 which is provided with projections 69 arranged opposite to each other. The side boards 32 are provided with rests 7 0 preferably in the form of an aperture passing through the side boards and a plate 71 secured to the side boards to cover one side of the aperture. A plate 72 is provided with an aperture 73, and oppositely disposed slots "(41 radiating from the aperture 7 3. This plate 72 is secured to the side boards to form a partial closure for the other side of the respective apertures 70. The stud 68 is provided with an operating handle or wing 7 5 having a lateral projecting flange 76 by means of which the stud 68 may be axially rotated to cause the projections 69 to coincide with the slots 74:, so that the projections 69 and the extremity of the stud 68 may be inserted into the aperture 70, and after being inserted, the stud 68 may be axially rotated by moving the handle or wing 7 5 from the position shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 8, to lock the side boards and the handle in position for use. The extremity of the arm 64 to which the stud 68 is pivoted is split as at 77 (-see Figs. 8 and 9) and a portion of the arm on one side of the slot is deflected, as at 78, to form a stop for the operating handle or wing 75 and to position the projections 69 on the stud 68 with respect to the slots 74.

A portion of the extremity of the arm 64 adjacent its pivot 65 is offset, as at 79, to form a stop for the arm to limitits downward movement and to position the free extremity of the arm with respect to the aperture in the side boards. When the side boards and handle are unlocked for folding purposes, the arm 64c may be turned upon its pivot 65 to be folded with respect to the side bars of the handle, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Pivotally supported, preferably by the forward edge of the seat 44, is a foot rest support, preferably in the form of a bail comprising side arms 80, which are connected by a cross arm 81, the extremities of the side arms 80 being ivotally connected by means of suitable clips 82 to the edge of the seat. The front edge of the seat terminates some distance short of the cross bar 21 at the front end of the running gear frame, and the bail which supports the foot rest is located between the seat and the front of the frame. A bail comprising side arms 88 and a connecting portion 84 is pivotally supported by the latter portion as at 85, preferably to the cross bar 21 at the forward end of the running gear frame and the side arms 83 of this bail are provided with loops 86 which are preferably deflected at an angle to the body portion of the bail, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1, and surround the side bars or arms of the foot rest supporting bail and through which loops the arms are adapted to loosely slide. A suitable flexible and collapsible foot rest 8'? is supported at one end by the seat 44: and by the other extremity by means of the connecting portion 81 between the arms 80 of the bail. The foot rest is adapted to be adjusted with respect to the running gear frame and the seat 1 1 by raising the arms 88 to move the looped extremities thereof toward the connecting members 81 between the arms 80, and when it is desired to lower the foot rest, the loops 86 may be slid upon the side arms 83 into the position shown in Fig. 1.

A foot or end board 87 is provided which is pivotally supported upon the running gear frame preferably upon the connecting portion 21 between the side bars 20. This foot board is preferably provided with eyes or loops 88 which register with the clips 85 and through which the connecting bar or member 84: of the arms 83 of the bail may pass, and this connecting member Set also serves as a means for pivotally securing the foot or end board in position. This end board 87 is of a width to extend across the space between the side boards 32 and any suitable means may be provided for holding the end board in position for use, such as stops 89 which are pivotally supported, pref erably to the extremities 30 of the elastic supports 27 and are adapted to be moved into the path of the outward movement of the foot board. One of these stops 89 is provided with a handle 90, and the portion 91 which is spaced from the stop. This portion 91 forms a finger which is spaced from the stop 89 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the foot or end board 87, so that when the latter is in position, the finger 91 may be moved about its pivot so as to stand adjacent one face of the end board, while the stop 89 stands adjacent the outer face to lock the foot or end board in position.

The extremities of the ends 30 of the elastic supports 27 may be offset, as at 91 shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 11, and these offset portions are arranged within the path of the outward movement of the respective side boards 32 to limit such movement.

IVi'th this improved construction it will be apparent that the seat and back will be yieldingly supported upon the running gear frame independent of the side boards, to permit the seat to have a cushioning action, and atthe same time the side boards being mounted upon the elastic members 27, will have a relative yielding movement.

\Vhen it is desired to fold the carriage from the position shown in Fig. 1, all that is necessary is to first release the end board 87 and fold the same into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 upon the running gear frame. The back 45 may be then folded by releasing the catch 47. The side boards 32 may be then released by disengaging the stud 68 from the side board and the latter may be folded laterally upon the back and end board, and one upon the other. The arms 6% may be folded against the side bars of the handle, and the latter may be folded forwardly upon the running gear frame and over the side boards. A suitable clip or catch 92 (shown more clearly in Figs. 2, 3 and 12) may be provided, and supported upon a suitable support, preferably one of the elastic members 27, and is adapted to be moved over the edge of the outermost side board 82 when the latter are folded for securing the parts in their folded positions.

As the handle 23 is moved forwardly and downwardly upon the running gear frame, the locking members 5'? of the rear locking bail 56 will be automatically moved out of engagement with the clips 59, and if the front bail 63 is used, the latter may be then moved out of engagement with its respective clips.

In unfolding the cart, the operation is reversed, but the wheel supports 24 are preferably unfolded first, after which the handle may be unfolded to cause the locking members 57 to automatically engage the clips 59 during the unfolding movement of the handle, and then the sides, back and end boards may be adjusted to a position for use in the manner already set forth.

In order that the invention might be fully understood, the details of the foregoing embodiment thereof have been thus specifically described, but

hat is claimed as new is 1. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, a seat supported thereby, sides for the seat supported inclependently of the seat and foldable laterally with respect thereto, means for limiting the unfolding movement of the sides, a handle foldable with respect to the supporting frame, a common means for securing the sides and the handle in position for use, a foot board independent of the sides and seat and foldable longitudinally with respect to the frame, and means independent of the sides of the seat for securing the foot board in posit-ion for use.

2. In a foldable go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, a seat yieldingly supported by the frame, sides for the seat supported independently of the seat and foldable laterally with respect to the seat, an adjustable back for the seat, a foldable footboard independent of the sides and seat, means for securing the footboard rigidly in position for use, said footboard and back being foldable longitudinally upon the frame, said sides being foldable laterally upon the back and footboard, and means for securing the parts in their folded position.

3. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, a seat yieldingly supported thereby, sides for the seat foldable laterally with respect to the seat, means for securing the sides in. position for use, a foot board independent of the sides and seat and foldable with respect to the frame, means independent of the sides for securing the foot-board rigidly in position for use, an adjustable back for the seat bet-ween the sides, an adjustable foot rest for the seat independ ent of the footboard, and means for securing the footrest in its adjusted position.

4. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, a seat yieldingly supported thereby, sides for the seat supported independently of the seat, and foldable laterally with respect to the seat, a footboard separate from the seat and foldable with respect to the frame, means engaging one end of the sides for holding the latter in position, separate means engaging the foot-board for securing the latter in position, a foot rest independent of the foot board and adjustable in the space formed by the sides and footboard, a foldable back for the seat, a foldable handle, and a common means for securing the handle and the other end of the side boards in position for use.

5. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, spaced yielding members supported by and extending above the frame, a seat supported by said members, an adjustable foot rest for the seat, an adjustable back for the seat, sides for the seat supported independently of the seat and foldable laterally with respect thereto, a stop on the frame for limiting the unfolding movement of the sides, a foldable handle, a common means for securing the handle and sides in positions for use, an independent footboard adjacent the end of the frame and foldable with respect to the frame, and means for securing the footboard in position for use.

6. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, spaced yielding members supported by and extending above the frame, a seat supported by said members, an adjustable foot rest for the seat, an adjustable back for the seat, sides for the seat supported independently of the seat and foldable laterally with respect thereto, a stop for limiting the unfolding movement of the sides, a foldable handle, a common means for securing the handle and sides in positions for use, an independent foot board adjacent the end of the frame and foldable with respect to the frame, and means independent of the sides for securing the footboard rigidly in position for use, the forward ends of the sides extending to and terminating adjacent the footboard.

7 In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, spaced members secured by one extremity to the frame, uprights supported by the frame and with which the free ends of the members have slidable engagement, elastic members disposed between the respective free ends of the members and frame, and sides for the seat supported independently of the seat and foldable with respect thereto.

8. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, spaced members secured by one extremity to the frame, uprights supported by the frame and with which the free ends of the members have sliding engagement, elastic members supported by the uprights between the respective ends of the members and the frame, and sides for the seat supported independently of the seat and foldable laterally with respect to the seat.

9. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, spaced members secured by one extremity to the frame, uprights supported by the frame and with which the free ends of the members have sliding engagement, elastic members supported by the uprights between the respective ends of the members and the frame, sides for the seat supported independently of the seat and foldable laterally with respect to the seat, a handle pivoted to the frame and foldable with respect thereto, and a common means for holding the handle and sides in position for use.

10. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting frame, spaced members secured by one extremity to the frame, uprights supported by the frame and with which the free ends of the members have sliding engagement, elastic members supported by the uprights between the respective ends of the members and the frame, sides for the seat supported independently of the seat and foldable laterally with respect to the seat, a handle pivoted to the frame and foldable with respect thereto, and inter-engaging means on the handle and sides for locking the sides and handle in positions for use.

11. In a folding go-cart the combination of a frame, a seat supported thereby, sides for the seat yieldingly supported independently thereof and foldable laterally with respect to the seat, means for holding the sides in position for use, a foldable back for the seat, a catch pivotally supported by the back and comprising spaced arms connected at their free ends and adapted to engage a portion of the frame and a member supported by the seat and projecting beyond the seat, the free extremity of the member arching over the portion of the frame engaged by the catch and projecting between the arms thereof for preventing the catch from accldentally disengaging the frame.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 17th day of February, A. D. 1909.

FRANK J. BEIER.

Witnesses J. H. JocHUM, Jr., O. H. SEEM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

